Laser-Structured 2.4 GHz Antennas Suit a Variety of General Applications

Molex Incorporated has released a new standard antenna for applications using the 2.4 GHz ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) band and Wi-Fi. The 2.4 GHz band antenna is the first release in a series of Molex standard antennas designed for the industrial, consumer, medical and automotive markets. Based on diverse manufacturing and RF technologies, Molex standard antennas offer high performance and ease of integration for demanding wireless applications.

“Markets are trending toward wireless applications. On the industrial side, global smart grid deployments are leading in M2M (machine-to-machine) wireless communication. In consumer markets, wireless Internet television and audio dominate. Many wireless devices are better served with a standard antenna rather than a customized one. Molex standard 2.4 GHz ISM antennas deliver superior performance for less cost and risk—and shortened lead times for bringing wireless products to market,” explains Mads Sager, RF research manager, Molex.

The 2.4 GHz band antenna is based on the market-leading Molex LDS (Laser Direct Structuring) technology. Using a 3D laser system, LDS technology allows the transfer of the antenna from CAD data directly onto a molded antenna carrier or even directly onto the device structure.

“LDS antennas surpass the physical limits of conventional antennas and allow customers to achieve a higher level of product integration with fewer components at a value-oriented price point. Molex is the LDS antenna market leader with over 150 million shipped to date,” adds Sager.

The 2.4 GHz ISM antenna is fully compatible with surface mount device and reflow processes for smooth product integration with customer processes. The overall size of 3.0mm width by 3.0mm length by 4.0mm height makes the 2.4 GHz ISM one of the smallest on-ground antennas in its class. The antenna is suitable for smart meters and other smart grid enabled appliances, consumer Wi-Fi electronics and other applications running Bluetooth, ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4) and WLAN (IEEE 802.11b/g/n).